Operating mechanism for multiple point switches



April 1, 1952 OPERATING MECHANISM FOR MULTIPLE POINT SWITCHES Filed April 27. 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet l April 1, 1952 w. o. SCHULTZ OPERATING MECHANISM FOR MULTIPLE POINT SWITCHES 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 27. 1949 INVENTOR. Q cjz ujgj zdv/zm Aprill, 1952 w. o. SCHULT Z 2,591,017

I OPERATING MECHANISM FOR MULTIPLE POINT SWIT CHES Filed April 27. 1949 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 I INVEN TOR. %7//m 0. swag;

Patented Apr. 1, 1 952 OPERATING MECHANISM FOR MULTIPLE POINT SWITCHES William 0. Schultz, Marshfield, Wis., assignor to McGraw Electric Company, a corporation of Delaware Application April 27, 1949, Serial No. 89,917

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to operating mechanism for a multiple point switch and is particularly directed to mechanism arranged to be interposed between the driving motor and the driven portion of the multiple point switch.

Objects of this invention are to provide operating mechanism for a multiple point switch such as a tap changer, capacitor type switch, or other type of switch wherein a movable member is arranged to be moved over a plurality of stationary contact points, and which is adapted to be rotated and locked in position in engagement with any desired stationary contact.

Further objects of this invention are to provide a novel form of operating mechanism in which spring means are interposed between a revoluble trigger frame and a latch support with the trigger frame attached to the driving shaft and the latch support attached to the driven shaft, the arrangement being such that the trigger frame is move-d a greater angular distance than the angular distance between successive contact .points, so that there will be an excess of energy stored in the spring beyond that required for actually moving the movable portion of the mechanism the necessary distance so that this extra energy will be available to overcome any unexpected friction ortendency to stick which might be encountered in the operation of the device.

-Further objects are to provide a simple and rugged type of operating mechanism which is compact and which is so arranged that it may be rotated or operated in either direction and which has a material time delay provided when it is desired to change the direction of operation of the apparatus.

An embodiment, of the invention is shown in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a more or less block or diagrammatic view of the apparatus showing it in the relative position between the driving means and the switch mechanism.

Figure 2 is a partial sectional view through the operating mechanism with parts broken away, such view corresponding to a section approximately on the line 2--2 of Figure 4.

Figure 3 is a view looking from the side of Figure 2 approximately on the line 3-3 of such figure.

Figure 4 is a view taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2, such view showing the spring in its neutral position.

Figure 5 is a view showing the spring stretched and the trigger mechanism being moved in a 2 clockwise direction shortly prior to the tripping of one member of the latch means.

Figure 6 is a view showing the mechanism in its new position from which it will be moved from Figure 5, showing the spring again in its neutral position.

Figure '7 is a view showing the manner in which reverse operation is secured.

Figure 8 is a fragmentary detail approximately on the line 8-4 of Figure 3.

Referring to Figure 1, it will be seen that the operating mechanism has been shown as a block diagram and is indicated by the reference character A. This operating mechanism is interposed between the driving means, such as the motor B provided with reduction gear and the multiple point switch means 0. No attempt has been made in this figure to show the details of the parts and such view is merely a diagrammatic view.

Referring to Figures 2 through 8, it will be seen that the operating mechanism comprises a stationary frame I in which the driving shaft 2 and the driven shaft 3 are revolubly carried. The driving shaft 2 rigidly carries a trigger frame 4 which has an overhanging portion 5, a transversely extending pin 6 being provided and carrying one end of a tension spring I. The other end of the tension spring is carried by a pin 8 rigid with the latch support 9. The' latch support 9 is rigidly mounted on the driven shaft 3 and is adapted to be suddenly moved in a step by step manner from one contact point to the other as the driving shaft 2 is rotated as will appear from the description hereinafter.

The latch support 9 is provided with a pair of oppositely directed latches H] which are pivoted thereon and are spring urged as indicated at H towards a stationary index plate l2 which is provided with a plurality of regularly spaced stops I3 corresponding in angular position to the successive contact points, not shown. The index plate I2 is rigidly mounted on the frame I as shown and the driving shaft 2 and the driven shaft 3 are arranged in alignment, the hub portion 14 of the index plate furnishing a partial bearing for the driving shaft 2. In Figure 2 clearances have been shown between the shafts 2 and 3 and adjacent portions of the mechanism but this has been done merely for the sake of clarity and, in reality, there is a relatively close but freely revoluble fit between the hub 14 and the driving shaft 2 and a rigid fit between the driving shaft 2 and the hub ii of the trigger frame 4 and between the driven shaft 3 and the hub I4 of the latch support 9.

In operating the device, assume that the driving shaft 2 is rotated to move the trigger frame 4 in a clockwise direction as viewed in Figure 4. This will stress the spring I and it will be noted that the trigger frame 4 moves a greater angular distance than the space between successive stops I3 of the index plate prior to tripping of the latch means. Tripping of the latch means is secured by means of cam portions I5 and I6 rigidly carried by the trigger frame 4. In the position shown in Figure 5, the cam member 5 is beginning to trip the left-hand latch ID as viewed in Figure 5 by engaging the projecting portion I'I thereof. When the left-hand latch 10 is tripped the latch support 9 makes a quick motion in a clockwise direction until the latch I0 engages the next succeeding stop I3 of the index plate I2. The trigger plate 4 could continue to move in a clockwise direction if the driving shaft 2 was rotated further in such direction. However, if the trigger frame 4 is allowed to move back to neutral position of the spring, the parts would occupy the position shown in Figure 6.

In the event that it is desired to reverse the direction of operation of the apparatus, the trigger frame 4 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, for example, as in Figure 7, and moves a considerable angular distance from the neutral position shown in Figure 6. This causes a material time delay before the direction of rotation of the apparatus is obtained. Continued counterclockwise rotation of the trigger frame 4 causes the cam member I6 to engage the projecting portion ll of the lower latch member ID as viewed in Figure '7, and will release such latch and allow the latch support 9 to execute a very rapid partial rotation in a counterclockwise direction until the last mentioned latch I0 engages the next succeeding stop I3 of the index plate I2.

It will be seen that a simple and reliable type of operating mechanism has been provided for a multiple point switch which mechanism is arranged to be interposed between the driving agent, such as a motor with reduction gear, for instance, and a multiple point switch and is so constructed that it will insure a positive and extremely rapid travel of the switch arm from one stationary contact point to the next adjacent stationary contact point.

It will be seen further that the device is so constructed that the angular motion of the trigger frame which is attached to the driving shaft is considerably greater than the angular distance between successive stops of the index plate.

Although this invention has been described in considerable detail, it is to be understood that such description is intended as illustrative rather than limiting as the invention may be variously embodied and is to be interpreted as claimed.

I claim:

1. Operating mechanism for a multiple point switch comprising a driving shaft and a driven shaft arranged in alignment, a fixed indexing plate having spaced stopsarranged ina circle, a latch support rigid with said driven shaft, latch means spring urged and normally selectively coacting with said stops to prevent motion of said latch support, a trigger frame rigid with said driving shaft, driving spring means interposed between said trigger frame and said latch support and arranged to bias said latch support towards motion when said driving shaft is rotated, and tripping means carried by said trigger frame for tripping said latch means, said tripping means being mounted on the opposite side of said driving shaft from said driving spring means and said driving spring means being normally positioned on the same side-of said 'drivingshaft as said latch means and being movable to the opposite side of 'said driving shaft when said latch means are tripped.

2. Operating mechanism for a multiple point switch comprising a -driving shaft and a driven shaft arranged in alignment, a fixed indexing plate having spaced stops arranged in a circle, a latch support rigid wit-h said driven shaft, oppositely directed spring biased latches normally selectively coacting with said stops to prevent rotation of said latch support in either direction, a trigger frame rigid with said driving shaft, driving spring means interposed between said trigger frame and said latch support and arranged to bias 'saidlatch support towards motion when said driving shaft is rotated, and tripping means carried by-said trigger frame for selectively tripping said latches upon rotation of said trigger'frame inopposite directions,'said tripping'means being mounted'on the opposite side of'said driving shaftfrom-said driving'spring means and said driving spring means being normally positioned on the same side of-said driving shaft as said latches and 'beingfmovable to the opposite side of said driving shaft when said latches are tripped.

1 WILLIAM O. SCHULTZ.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 815,578 Brown" Mar. 20, 1906 854,688 Brown May 21, 1907 902,834 Pomeroy et al Nov. 3, 1908 2,392,700 Sanborn Jan. 8,- 1946 

